Qian Feng and Qian Yu were both surprised after learning about the current situation in Beian Village. They hadn't expected that in just one or two years, a tofu shop would open in the village and do quite well. Seeing the villagers' cheerful faces, they were also very happy.
Before coming to Beian Village, Commander Ling and his mother thought it was a poor and remote place where it would be difficult to get vegetables and meat. Even if they slaughtered a pig for the New Year, the food wouldn't be very good. However, they were extremely surprised when they saw the dishes on the table.
They had always known that Jin Jinxiu was a good cook, but they never expected that Qian Duoduo was also a good cook. They had seen that all the dishes were made by the mother and daughter.
Commander Lin looked at Qian Sheng with a smile, patted him on the shoulder and said, "Brother, you are a truly blessed man. Your children are really good. Not only did your daughter get into university, but Qian Feng and Qian Yu, these two boys, also took the college entrance examination this year and both got into university. You have done a really good job educating your children."
Qian Sheng's previously cheerful face froze upon hearing Commander Ling's words, and the once lively scene inside the room fell silent as if a silencer had been installed.
Qian Sheng turned his head blankly to look at his wife, took Jin Jinxiu's hand, and turned back to Mayor Ling to ask, "Father-in-law, is what you said true? Our eldest and second sons have also been admitted to university?"
All eyes in the room turned to Commander Ling.
Commander Ling smiled and said, "Of course, the eldest son took the entrance exam for the Naval Command Academy, and the second son took the entrance exam for the Special Operations Academy. They are both college students now."
Qian Sheng glanced at Qian Feng and Qian Yu, who were smiling beside him, and saw Qian Duoduo nod slightly. He excitedly gripped Jin Jinxiu's hands tightly.
Jin Jinxiu's eyes immediately reddened. She had thought that only Duoduo in the family could get into university, but she didn't expect that her eldest and second eldest sons would also give her such a surprise when they came back this time. She covered her mouth with her other hand, afraid that she would sob out loud.
At this moment, the old Party Secretary broke the silence. He clapped his hands and said, "Good, well done! Qian Feng, you two brothers are great. Our Beian Village suddenly has so many college students, that's wonderful!"
Secretary Lu sat down next to Qian Feng and said, "Congratulations! Come on, let's have a drink!"
Qian Feng knew that this man was Qian Mao's superior, so he naturally had to treat him well and raised his glass to drink.
People around Qian Yu offered him drinks, but there were rules in Qian Yu's army that prohibited drinking alcohol, so he always refused.
In this setting, no one is going to try to outdrink anyone else, so the entire banquet is a pleasant experience for both host and guests.
In Northeast China, it gets dark early in winter, around 4 pm. Qian Feng, Qian Yu, and the others returned the borrowed tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks. Qian Duoduo and Guo Ni followed behind, giving away the leftover food to the people who had borrowed the items.
Qian Rao and Qian Mao helped Jin Jinxiu and He Ying pack their things.
Commander Ling watched as the Qian family packed their things in an orderly manner and said to his mother, "These in-laws are quite good."
Ling's mother smiled and picked up the broom next to her, sweeping up some melon seed shells on the kang into a pile. Hearing what Old Ling said, she nodded: "Our Xiaoyun is just too busy. Otherwise, it would be great if she could take the college entrance examination this year."
Commander Ling smiled and said, "I know Xiaoyun has been studying with her son-in-law, and we'll have her try out for the exam this summer."
Ling's mother asked, "What about the child?"
Commander Ling said, "Your hospital's kindergarten is conveniently located near your hospital. We can have your daughter take the college entrance exam and adapt for a year. It'll be a bit tough for you though!"
Ling's mother nodded, saying that these were no big deal.
The noise outside grew louder, so the couple went out out of curiosity and saw a boy saying to Qian Duoduo, "Duoduo, although I only have a vocational school diploma, we're from the same village, we've known each other since childhood, aren't we better than those strangers?"
Qiao Tiezhu stood in front of Qian Duoduo. He ate his meal and drank some wine. Qian Duoduo followed Qian Feng to return the tables and chairs. Watching the little girl's departing figure, his heart felt like it was overgrown with weeds.
The girl seemed to be drifting further and further away from him, and the two of them were almost like parallel lines that would never intersect again. He was very upset, so after the girl went home, he chased after her.
His cheeks flushed as he looked at Qian Duoduo and said, "Duoduo, I've liked you since I was little. That hasn't changed over the years. I feel that now that I've been admitted to university, I'm a good match for you, so I wanted to ask you, will you be my girlfriend?"
Qian Duoduo was taken aback. She had never considered Qiao Tiezhu as her future partner. So, she was also stunned when he suggested they start dating.
Qiao Tiezhu was secretly pleased to see that Qian Duoduo remained silent. He immediately continued, "Look, our two families are both from Beian Village, we know each other well. I've always admired you since I was a child, and I've always considered you as my future wife..."
Qian Duoduo raised her arm to stop him from continuing, saying, "I'm sorry, I don't know what gave you the illusion that I'm someone you could date. First of all, I'm still young and not old enough to date, so you don't need to waste your time on me."
Furthermore, we are all going to school to learn more, so I don't think about romantic relationships right now.
Lastly, we grew up together, and I've never had any other feelings for you. I'm sorry!
Qiao Tiezhu's previously flushed cheeks suddenly turned pale, and his face became very ugly. His lips moved, and finally he said with a hurt expression, "Qian Duoduo, you have never liked me?"
Qian Rao stepped forward and stood in front of Qian Duoduo, looking at Qiao Tiezhu and saying, "Tiezhu, you and my sister are classmates. Duoduo is only 17 years old this year. Even if she wants to date, we brothers will not agree to her dating at such a young age."
Besides, my sister is a college student. Why would she choose you when there are so many outstanding young men in college?
Qiao Tiezhu lowered his head upon hearing Qian Rao's words. The reason he was bringing this up now was because Qian Duoduo would be going to university in the provincial capital after the New Year.
With so many outstanding men in university, why would they remember a rural boy like me who could only afford a vocational school? Is it wrong for me to want to settle things down with her first?
Secretary Lu, who hadn't left yet, looked at the somewhat naive Xiao Tiezi and shook his head slightly. Qian Duoduo wouldn't be interested in a young man like that.
This young girl has ambition and aspirations; how could she so easily settle down and decide on her future?
The seven young men of the Qian family, plus the two cousins from his maternal uncle's side, made up nine men standing in front of Qian Duoduo, giving Qiao Tiezhu an invisible sense of intimidation. He took a step back, bit his lip, and said, "Well, I'll go home first."
Watching Qiao Tiezhu leave, Qian Feng said, "Qiao Tiezhu is not good enough for our Duoduo. Our Duoduo deserves better."
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